Wimberley P-50 universal lens plate (168 mm)

Wimberley P-50 universal lens plate (168 mm) for long telephoto lenses

With the Wimberley P-50 universal lens plate, you add a solid, pleasantly understated base for your telephoto lenses to your setup. With a length of 16.76 cm and a width of 3.8 cm, the plate is specifically designed to hold large and heavy optics securely on the tripod, without you constantly feeling like everything is about to slip out of your hands. It is universally usable, so it doesn’t just fit a single lens but covers a whole range of common super-telephoto and zoom models.

Arca compatible, seamless integration into your quick-release system

The Wimberley P-50 is ARCA compatible and features a 38 mm double dovetail profile. This profile ensures that the plate fits into a wide variety of 38 mm quick-release clamps that are, according to the manufacturer, Arca-style compatible. These include, among others, FlexShooter lever cross clamp, FlexShooter screw cross clamp, ProMediaGear clamps, Wimberley clamps, Really Right Stuff screw clamps, Really Right Stuff lever clamps, Acratech lever clamps, Acratech screw clamps, Markins clamps, Kirk clamps, as well as Jobu Design clamps. In most cases you therefore don’t have to change your entire tripod system, but can simply integrate the P-50 into your existing quick-release setup.

The double dovetail profile also offers you the advantage that you can easily attach accessories such as flash brackets from Wimberley, Kirk, or Really Right Stuff. Especially when working with telephoto lenses and wanting to position a flash to the side or above, this option is extremely practical because you can often do without additional adapter parts.

Made in USA, robust construction for tough everyday photography

The P-50 is manufactured in the USA and relies on a combination of 6061-T6 aluminum and stainless steel. 6061-T6 aluminum is a proven material from the professional sector that offers a very good weight-to-rigidity ratio. Weighing only 122 g, your setup remains pleasantly light, while the plate is stiff enough to carry even heavy lenses reliably. Stainless steel is used in highly stressed and safety-relevant areas, which significantly increases the plate’s service life.

The surface is black anodized, which not only looks discreet but also protects the plate from scratches and corrosion. Especially if you are outdoors a lot, whether in the rain in an autumn forest or in a dusty stadium pit, this robust finish pays off. The anodized layer also provides a low-key, low-reflection surface, which is definitely a plus in nature and wildlife photography when you don’t want anything in the frame to shine unnecessarily.

Compatibility with Nikon telephoto lenses

The Wimberley P-50 universal lens plate is particularly interesting if you work with large Nikon F telephoto lenses. It can be mounted on lens feet or tripod collars of models such as the Nikon 600mm f/4E FL ED VR AF-S NIKKOR, the Nikon 400mm f/2.8 AFS I NIKKOR, or the Nikon 600mm f/4 AIS. Thanks to the length of 168 mm, you can fine-tune the balance point of your setup very precisely, which is a real gain in stability, especially on gimbal or tilt heads.

Mounting is done in the classic way via the lens foot, with the plate designed to sit flush and reliably reduce twisting. In practice, this means: less fiddling, less readjustment, more focus on the subject. For example, if you’re sitting in a hide with a 600 mm lens or working on the sidelines of a sports field, you quickly notice how pleasant it is when the combination of camera, lens, and plate simply remains calm and predictable.

Compatibility with Sigma telephoto lenses

Users of Sigma telephoto lenses also benefit from the P-50. The plate is suitable, among others, for the Sigma 800mm f/5.6 EX DG HSM, the Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM / Sports, and the Sigma 500mm F4 DG OS HSM | Sports. These lenses are quite heavy, and the P-50 is designed precisely for that: it creates a stable connection between tripod collar and quick-release clamp so that you have as little vibration as possible in the system, even at long focal lengths and longer exposure times.

Because the plate is universally usable, you can often continue to use it when changing lenses. This is particularly convenient when you’re on the go and don’t want to carry a dedicated special plate for every lens. Once properly mounted, the P-50 sits securely and supports you in wildlife, sports, or even astrophotography, where precision and repeatability are crucial.

Safety stop screws for extra security

On the underside of the Wimberley P-50 there are 4 safety stop screws. These screws prevent the plate from accidentally sliding out of the quick-release clamp if the clamp should loosen unnoticed or if you are a bit too hasty when repositioning. The safety stop screws are removable if you don’t need them for certain applications or prefer a different configuration.

Especially with heavy telephoto lenses, this safety mechanism is a reassuring detail, because an uncontrolled slip out of the clamp can, in the worst case, damage camera and lens. With the stop screws, the plate remains guided in the clamp even when it is not fully opened or closed. This gives you an extra level of confidence in your equipment when working in the field or in the studio.

Double dovetail design for more flexibility

The double dovetail design of the P-50 ensures that you can not only use the plate in quick-release clamps, but also easily attach accessories such as flash brackets. Wimberley, Kirk, and Really Right Stuff offer suitable brackets that engage directly with the profile. This allows you to position your lighting setup close to the lens without needing additional rails or adapters.

With a length of 16.76 cm, you also have enough room to find the optimal balance point of your system. Whether you’re working with a heavy full-frame body and battery grip or with a lighter camera: you can move the combination of camera and lens on the plate so that it is properly balanced on the tripod head. This makes panning movements smoother and reduces the strain on the mechanics of your tripod head.

Dimensions, weight, and everyday handling

With a height of 1.016 cm, the P-50 remains pleasantly low-profile, keeping your center of gravity close to the tripod head. The width of 3.8 cm provides a stable contact surface on the lens foot without being unnecessarily bulky. The weight of 122 g is hardly noticeable in practice, especially in relation to the telephoto lenses it is intended for, but it contributes noticeably to overall stability.

In daily use, the plate is unobtrusive, which is a compliment: it does its job without drawing attention to itself. You mount it properly once, tighten everything, and then it works in the background. Whether you’re standing at the lakeshore at dawn, in a stadium under floodlights, or somewhere in the mountains, the P-50 is designed to handle these situations without complaint.

Universal range of use for ambitious photo setups

The Wimberley P-50 is universally usable and aimed at anyone working with long focal lengths who values a reliable, Arca-style compatible quick-release system. Thanks to the combination of 6061-T6 aluminum, stainless steel, black anodized surface, double dovetail profile, 4 safety stop screws, and broad compatibility with FlexShooter, ProMediaGear, Wimberley, Really Right Stuff, Acratech, Markins, Kirk, and Jobu Design clamps, you get a lens plate that integrates seamlessly into professional setups.

So if you’re looking for a solution that keeps your Nikon or Sigma super-telephoto lenses safely, flexibly, and reliably stable on the tripod over the long term, without making a fuss about it, the Wimberley P-50 universal lens plate (168 mm) is a very well thought-out and proven option in practical use.